Cherries: Brown's lucky to escape ref's full wrath (From Bournemouth Echo)

Cherries: Brown's lucky to escape ref's full wrath

7:00am Thursday 29th July 2010 in

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CHERRIES skipper Jason Pearce was fortunate to escape a serious facial injury after being the victim of a dreadful lunge from Michael Brown in last night’s pre-season friendly.

The incident occurred when the Pompey hard man retaliated after Pearce had sent him sprawling with a shuddering – but fair – challenge early in the second half.

Brown reacted angrily by launching himself at Pearce and appeared to catch the Cherries skipper full in the face with his studs. Pearce went down clutching his face and required treatment from Cherries physio Steve Hard.

Much to the annoyance of a number of Cherries supporters, referee James Linnington, following consultation with his assistant, chose only to book Brown.

The flashpoint failed to overshadow another impressive display from Eddie Howe’s men, with only Marc Wilson’s second-half penalty separating the League One newcomers from the Championship outfit.

Pompey striker David Nugent carved out the first shooting chance after 17 minutes, his curling effort from 20 yards just clearing the crossbar.

Marlon Pack also took aim for the visitors with his long-range strike safely smothered by Cherries goalkeeper Shwan Jalal.

Jalal pulled off a smart reaction save after Tommy Smith had let fly midway through the first half, the goalkeeper pushing his wickedly swerving shot over the top.

Cherries enjoyed plenty of possession during the early stages of the first half, although found scoring opportunities hard to come by against a well organised Pompey rearguard.

Their first noteworthy chance fell to Anton Robinson, but the midfielder’s crisp snapshot was blocked by Pompey midfielder Nadir Ciftci.

However, Howe’s men fashioned the clearest opportunity of the game after 34 minutes when Marc Pugh’s silky skills took him into the Pompey 18-yard box.

And after the tricky winger had turned his marker, he unleashed a low, right-foot drive which struck the base of Jamie Ashdown’s post.

Smith, picked out by Wilson’s crossfield pass, danced along the 18-yard box before dragging his shot wide of the target.

Early in the second half, Brown was fortunate to escape with a booking after reacting following a full-blooded tackle from Pearce.

The Pompey man petulantly kicked out at Pearce following the challenge, with the Cherries skipper requiring treatment after going down clutching his face.

Although referee Linnington failed to spot the incident, the official inexplicably showed Brown only a yellow card after consulting his assistant. Subsequently, Brown’s every touch was met with a chorus of boos from the Dean Court fans.

Brett Pitman twice went close to breaking the deadlock, his first effort saved by Ashdown, his second flashing inches past the upright.

And as Cherries began to assert, interval substitute Josh McQuoid arrived to scoop an inch-perfect centre from Bradbury over the crossbar.

Nugent’s 20-yarder was tipped over by Jalal before Pompey opened the scoring from the penalty spot after 68 minutes.

Referee Linnington was somewhat more eagle-eyed than he had been when Brown had caught Pearce, the official spotting a shirt tug by Marvin Bartley on Pack.

Although the Cherries midfielder tried to protest his innocence, Wilson showed no mercy from the spot, beating Jalal with a powerful strike from 12 yards.

Pitman was booked for a poor tackle on Brown before Pearce received a lecture from referee Linnington after also upending the Pompey midfielder.

And in the closing stages, Cherries substitute Jayden Stockley went close to grabbing what would have been a deserved equaliser.

Cherries: Jalal, Bradbury (Purches, 76), Pearce, Cooper, Wiggins (Cummings, 76), Feeney, Robinson, Arter (McQuoid, h-t), Bartley, Pugh, Pitman (Stockley, 83).

Booked: Pitman.

Portsmouth: Ashdown, Mullins, Ward (Martin, 75), Brown, Pack, Hughes, Ritchie, Wilson, Smith, Nugent (Ryan, 83), Ciftci (Gregory, 65).

Booked: Brown.

Referee: James Linnington (Isle of Wight, Hampshire).